Systems and methods for managing reduced pressure at a plurality of wound sites

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are presented for providing reduced pressure to and monitoring pressure at a plurality of tissue sites using a plurality of pressure management devices. The pressure management devices are associated with a plurality of sensing conduits that fluidly couple the pressure management devices and the plurality of tissue sites. Other systems, methods, and devices are disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/292,926, filed Nov. 9, 2011, which claims the benefit, under 35 USC §119(e), of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/414,718, entitled “Systems and Methods for Managing Reduced Pressureat a Plurality of Wound Sites,” filed 17 Nov. 2010, which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to medical treatment systemsand, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to systems,devices, and methods for managing reduced pressure at a plurality ofwound sites.

BACKGROUND

Clinical studies and practice have shown that providing a reducedpressure in proximity to a tissue site augments and accelerates thegrowth of new tissue at the tissue site. The applications of thisphenomenon are numerous, but application of reduced pressure has beenparticularly successful in treating wounds. This treatment (frequentlyreferred to in the medical community as “negative pressure woundtherapy,” “reduced pressure therapy,” or “vacuum therapy”) provides anumber of benefits, which may include faster healing and increasedformulation of granulation tissue. Typically, when applied to openwounds, reduced pressure is applied to tissue through a porous pad orother manifold device. The porous pad contains cells or pores that arecapable of distributing reduced pressure to the tissue and channelingfluids that are drawn from the tissue. At times, a patient may have alarge wound requiring treatment at numerous sites or has a plurality oftissue sites requiring treatment.

SUMMARY

According to some illustrative embodiments, systems and methods arepresented for providing reduced pressure to and monitoring pressure at aplurality of tissue sites using a plurality of pressure managementdevices. The pressure management devices are associated with a pluralityof sensing conduits that fluidly couple the pressure management devicesand the plurality of tissue sites.

According to an illustrative embodiment, a system for managing reducedpressure at multiple tissue sites undergoing reduced pressure treatmenton a patient includes a reduced-pressure source for providing reducedpressure, a plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits fluidlycoupled to the reduced-pressure source, a plurality of reduced-pressuredressings fluidly coupled to the plurality of reduced-pressure deliveryconduits in a one-to-one fashion, a plurality of pressure managementdevices, and a plurality of a sensing conduits fluidly coupled to theplurality of pressure management devices in a one-to-one fashion. Eachreduced-pressure dressing has a sensing conduit of the plurality ofsensing conduits and a reduced-pressure delivery conduit of theplurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits associated with thereduced-pressure dressing. Each pressure management device of theplurality of pressure management devices may include a controller, apower unit electrically coupled to the controller for providing power tothe controller, a force transducer associated with a sensing conduit ofthe plurality of sensing conduits and electrically coupled to thecontroller for determining if a reduced-pressure threshold exists at atissue site associated with the sensing conduit, and an indicatorcoupled to the controller for indicating when insufficient pressureexists in an associated sensing conduit.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a method for managingreduced pressure at a plurality of tissue sites undergoing reducedpressure treatment on a patient includes providing a reduced-pressuresource, fluidly coupling a plurality of reduced-pressure deliveryconduits to the reduced-pressure source, disposing a plurality ofreduced-pressure dressings proximate to the plurality of tissue sites,fluidly coupling the plurality of reduced-pressure dressings to theplurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits in a one-to-one fashion,providing a plurality of pressure management devices, and fluidlycoupling a plurality of a sensing conduits to the plurality of pressuremanagement devices in a one-to-one fashion. Each reduced-pressuredressing has a sensing conduit of the plurality of sensing conduits anda reduced-pressure delivery conduit of the plurality of reduced-pressuredelivery conduits associated with the reduced-pressure dressing. Eachpressure management device of the plurality of pressure managementdevices may include a power unit electrically coupled to the controllerfor providing power to the controller, a force transducer associatedwith a sensing conduit of the plurality of sensing conduits andelectrically coupled to the controller for determining if areduced-pressure threshold exists at a tissue site associated with thesensing conduit, and an indicator coupled to the controller forindicating when insufficient pressure exists in the associated sensingconduit.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a method of manufacturinga system for managing reduced pressure at multiple tissue sitesundergoing reduced pressure treatment on a patient includes providing areduced-pressure source for providing reduced pressure, providing aplurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits, fluidly coupling theplurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits to the reduced-pressuresource, providing a plurality of reduced-pressure dressings, providingplurality of pressure management devices, providing a plurality of asensing conduits, and fluidly coupling the plurality of pressuremanagement devices in a one-to-one fashion to the plurality of sensingconduits. Each reduced-pressure dressing has a sensing conduit of theplurality of sensing conduits and a reduced-pressure delivery conduit ofthe plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits associated with thereduced-pressure dressing. Each pressure management device of theplurality of pressure management devices may include a power unitelectrically coupled to the controller for providing power to thecontroller, a force transducer associated with a sensing conduit of theplurality of sensing conduits and electrically coupled to the controllerfor determining if a reduced-pressure threshold exists at a tissue siteassociated with the sensing conduit, and an indicator coupled to thecontroller for indicating when insufficient pressure exists in anassociated sensing conduit.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a system for managingreduced pressure at multiple tissue sites undergoing reduced pressuretreatment on a patient includes a reduced-pressure source for providingreduced pressure, a pressure management module, a first conduit fluidlycoupled between the reduced-pressure source and the pressure managementmodule, a plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits fluidlycoupled between the pressure management module and a plurality ofreduced-pressure dressings. The plurality of reduced-pressure dressingsare coupled to the plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits in aone-to-one fashion. The system further includes a plurality of a sensingconduits fluidly coupled to the pressure management module. Eachreduced-pressure dressing has a sensing conduit of the plurality ofsensing conduits and a reduced-pressure delivery conduit of theplurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits associated with thereduced-pressure dressing. The pressure management module comprises aplurality of pressure management devices. Each pressure managementdevice of the plurality of pressure management devices may include apower unit electrically coupled to the controller for providing power tothe controller, a force transducer associated with a sensing conduit ofthe plurality of sensing conduits and electrically coupled to thecontroller for determining if a reduced-pressure threshold exists at atissue site associated with the sensing conduit, and an indicatorcoupled to the controller for indicating when insufficient pressureexists in an associated sensing conduit.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a system for managingreduced pressure at multiple tissue sites undergoing reduced pressuretreatment on a patient includes a reduced-pressure source for providingreduced pressure and a first plurality of reduced-pressure deliveryconduits fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure source. Eachreduced-pressure delivery conduit of the first plurality ofreduced-pressure delivery conduits has a first end and a second end. Thesecond end of each of the first plurality of reduced-pressure deliveryconduits has a first pressure-management connector coupled thereto. Thesystem further includes a second plurality of reduced-pressure deliveryconduits, each having a first end and a second end. The first end of thesecond plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits has a secondpressure-management connector. The system further includes a pluralityof reduced-pressure dressings fluidly coupled to the second plurality ofreduced-pressure delivery conduits in a one-to-one fashion. The firstpressure management connector of the plurality of reduced-pressureconduits is coupled to the second pressure-management connector of thesecond plurality of reduced-pressure in a one-to-one fashion. The firstpressure management connector and second management connector couple toform a pressure management device, whereby the first pressure managementconnectors and the second pressure management connectors form aplurality of pressure management devices. Each reduced-pressure dressinghas one of the second reduced-pressure delivery conduits associated withthe reduced-pressure dressing. Each pressure management device of theplurality of pressure management devices includes a controller, a powerunit electrically coupled to the controller for providing power to thecontroller, a force transducer associated with a sensing conduit of thefirst plurality of reduced-pressure conduits and electrically coupled tothe controller for determining if a reduced-pressure threshold exists ata tissue site associated with the sensing conduit, and an indicatorcoupled to the controller for indicating when insufficient pressureexists at the associated sensing conduit.

Other features and advantages of the illustrative embodiments willbecome apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed descriptionthat follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram, with a portion shown in cross section, ofan illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of a system for managingreduced pressure at multiple tissue sites undergoing reduced pressuretreatment on a patient;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an illustrative embodimentof a system for managing reduced pressure at multiple tissue sitesundergoing reduced pressure treatment on a patient showing anillustrative, non-limiting configuration of a pressure managementdevice;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, elevation view of an illustrative embodiment ofan integral module formed from a plurality of pressure managementdevices;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, elevation view of an illustrative embodiment ofan integral module that involves a conduit delivering reduced pressurethat is split to provide reduced pressure to a plurality ofreduced-pressure delivery conduits; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective view, with a portion shown as adiagram and a portion as a cross section, of another illustrativeembodiment of a portion of a system for managing reduced pressure atmultiple tissue sites undergoing reduced pressure treatment on apatient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the illustrative, non-limitingembodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form apart hereof. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it isunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logicalstructural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoiddetail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice theembodiments described herein, the description may omit certaininformation known to those skilled in the art. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the illustrative embodiments are defined only by the appendedclaims.

Reduced pressure provided to tissue sites encourages healing at thosetissue sites. To accommodate multiple tissue sites, e.g., multiplewounds on a patient, multiple conduits may be used to deliver reducedpressure. A single reduced pressure source may be used with the multipleconduits branched off one conduit. Pressure monitoring is currentlylocated in existing reduced-pressure sources and only one conduitcommunicates pressure to the reduced-pressure source. If only oneconduit, which is associated with one tissue site, is monitored, as isthe case when monitoring is done at the reduced-pressure source alone,pressure at other tissue sites may be unmonitored. This means that thepressure at the different tissue sites may vary greatly and yet gounnoticed. This, in turn, may cause a detrimental result in somesituations. For example, if a graft does not receive reduced pressurefor two hours, the graft may not take. With the current system, eachtissue site of the plurality of tissue sites is monitored, and issueswith reduced pressure delivery may be identified and addressed. Anillustrative embodiment of a system 100 is presented that includes,among other things, pressure monitoring at multiple tissue sites.

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, the system 100for managing reduced pressure at a plurality of tissue sites 102 thatare undergoing reduced pressure treatment on a patient 104 is presented.A plurality of reduced-pressure dressings 106 are used with theplurality of tissue sites 102. Typically, one of the plurality ofreduced-pressure dressings 106 is associated with one of the pluralityof tissue sites 102. The tissue sites 102 may comprise a single extendedtissue site or wound or may be discrete wound sites or tissue sites.Each of the tissue sites 102 may be the bodily tissue of any human,animal, or other organism, including bone tissue, adipose tissue, muscletissue, dermal tissue, vascular tissue, connective tissue, cartilage,tendons, ligaments, or any other tissue. Unless otherwise indicated, asused throughout this document, “or” does not require mutual exclusivity.Treatment of the tissue sites 102 may include removal of fluids, e.g.,exudate or ascites.

The plurality of reduced-pressure dressings 106 in the illustrativeembodiment of FIG. 1 is shown with a first reduced-pressure dressing 108and a second reduced-pressure dressing 110. The plurality ofreduced-pressure dressings 106 may include any structure suitable forproviding reduced pressure to a tissue site and removing fluids. Forexample, in one illustrative embodiment, the first reduced-pressuredressing 108 includes a manifold 112 that is disposed proximate to oneof the tissue sites 102 with which the manifold 112 is associated. Themanifold 112 is covered with a sealing member 114, which may include anattachment device 116, that creates a fluid seal. A fluid seal is a sealadequate to maintain reduced pressure at a desired tissue site given theparticular reduced-pressure source or subsystem involved. The sealingmember 114, which may include the attachment device 116, creates asealed space 118 in which the manifold 112 may reside. Areduced-pressure interface 120 may be placed through an aperture (notshown) and the sealing member 114 to provide reduced pressure into thesealed space 118 and in particular to the manifold 112. For example, thereduced pressure interface 120 may be a T.R.A.C.® Pad or Sensa T.R.A.C.®Pad available from KCI of San Antonio, Tex. The reduced-pressureinterface 120 delivers the reduced pressure to the sealed space 118. Thesecond reduced-pressure dressing 110 is analogous to the firstreduced-pressure dressing 108.

With respect to the manifold 112, a manifold is generally a substance orstructure that is provided to assist in applying reduced pressure to,delivering fluids to, or removing fluids from a tissue site, e.g.,tissue site 102. The manifold 112 typically includes a plurality of flowchannels or pathways that distribute fluids provided to and removed fromthe tissue site 102 around the manifold 112. In one illustrativeembodiment, the flow channels or pathways are interconnected to improvedistribution of fluids provided or removed from the tissue site 102. Themanifold 112 comprises one or more of the following: a biocompatiblematerial that is capable of being placed in contact with the tissue site102 and distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site 102; devicesthat have structural elements arranged to form flow channels, such as,for example, cellular foam, open-cell foam, porous tissue collections,liquids, gels, and foams that include, or cure to include, flowchannels; material that may be porous and may be made from foam, gauze,felted mat, or any other material suited to a particular biologicalapplication; foam with interconnected cells; polyurethane; open-cell,reticulated foam such as GranuFoam® material manufactured by KineticConcepts, Incorporated of San Antonio, Tex.; bioresorbable material; orscaffold material. In some situations, the manifold 112 may also be usedto distribute fluids such as medications, antibacterials, growthfactors, and various solutions to the tissue site 102. Other layers maybe included in or on the manifold 112, such as absorptive materials,wicking materials, hydrophobic materials, and hydrophilic materials.

In one illustrative embodiment, the manifold 112 may be constructed frombioresorbable materials that do not have to be removed from a patient'sbody following use of the reduced-pressure dressing 108, 110. Suitablebioresorbable materials may include, without limitation, a polymericblend of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA). Thepolymeric blend may also include without limitation polycarbonates,polyfumarates, and capralactones. The manifold 112 may further serve asa scaffold for new cell-growth, or a scaffold material may be used inconjunction with the manifold 112 to promote cell-growth. A scaffold isa substance or structure used to enhance or promote the growth of cellsor formation of tissue, such as a three-dimensional porous structurethat provides a template for cell growth. Illustrative examples ofscaffold materials include calcium phosphate, collagen, PLA/PGA, coralhydroxy apatites, carbonates, or processed allograft materials.

The sealing member 114 may be any material that provides a fluid seal.The sealing member 114 may, for example, be an impermeable orsemi-permeable, elastomeric material. Examples of elastomers mayinclude, but are not limited to, natural rubbers, polyisoprene, styrenebutadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber,butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene dienemonomer, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polysulfide rubber, polyurethane(PU), EVA film, co-polyester, and silicones. Additional, specificexamples of sealing member materials include a silicone drape, 3MTegaderm® drape, polyurethane (PU) drape such as one available fromAvery Dennison Corporation of Pasadena, Calif.

The attachment device 116 may be used to hold the sealing member 114against the patient's epidermis 111 or another layer, such as a gasketor additional sealing member, or another location. The attachment device116 may take numerous forms. For example, the attachment device 116 maybe a medically acceptable, pressure-sensitive adhesive that extendsabout a periphery of the sealing member 114.

The reduced-pressure dressings 106 provide reduced pressure to thetissue sites 102. Reduced pressure is generally a pressure less than theambient pressure at a tissue site that is being subjected to treatment.In most cases, this reduced pressure will be less than the atmosphericpressure at which the patient is located. Alternatively, the reducedpressure may be less than a hydrostatic pressure at the tissue site.Unless otherwise indicated, values of pressure stated herein are gaugepressures. The reduced pressure delivered may be constant or varied(patterned or random) and may be delivered continuously orintermittently. Although the terms “vacuum” and “negative pressure” maybe used to describe the pressure applied to the tissue site, the actualpressure applied to the tissue site may be more than the pressurenormally associated with a complete vacuum. Consistent with the useherein, an increase in reduced pressure or vacuum pressure typicallyrefers to a relative reduction in absolute pressure.

A plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits 122 may be fluidlycoupled to a reduced-pressure source 124. The reduced-pressure deliveryconduits 122 may be conduits for carrying reduced pressure and removingliquids alone or may be combined with one or more lumens for sensingpressure and providing a vent or a purge. For description purposes, adistinct plurality of sensing conduits 126, or lumens, is shownassociated with the plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits 122,but it should be understood that the sensing conduits 126 may beincorporated into the plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits122 as a lumen in a multi-lumen conduit.

The reduced-pressure source 124 provides reduced pressure. Thereduced-pressure source 124 may be any device or source for supplying areduced pressure, such as a vacuum pump, wall suction, micro-pump, orother source. If the reduced-pressure source 124 is a micro-pump, themicro-pump may be directly coupled to the plurality of managementdevices 128. While the amount and nature of reduced pressure applied toa tissue site will typically vary according to the application, thereduced pressure will typically be between −5 mm Hg (−667 Pa) and −500mm Hg (−66.7 kPa) and more typically between −75 mm Hg (−9.9 kPa) and−300 mm Hg (−39.9 kPa). For example, and not by way of limitation, thepressure may be −12, −12.5, −13, −14, −14.5, −15, −15.5, −16, −16.5,−17, −17.5, −18, −18.5, −19, −19.5, −20, −20.5, −21, −21.5, −22, −22.5,−23, −23.5, −24, −24.5, −25, −25.5, −26, −26.5 kPa or another pressure.

The plurality of pressure management devices 128 may be coupled to theplurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits 122 and fluidly coupledto the plurality of sensing conduits 126. The plurality of pressuremanagement devices 128 may include, for example, a first pressuremanagement device 130 and a second pressure management device 132. Eachof the plurality of pressure management devices 128 may include ahousing 134. The housing 134 may include a visual indicator 136 that mayinclude indicators such as pressure disruption or caution symbol 138 anda touch mute button 140. A manual power switch 142 may also be includedon the housing 134 or on the visual indicator 136. Each housing 134 mayinclude a first portion 144 and a second portion 146 or edge. A firstcoupling member 148, which may include two components, may be coupled tothe first portion 144. A second coupling member 150 may be formed on thesecond portion 146. The first coupling member 148 and the secondcoupling member 150 are sized and configured to couple with one anothereither fixedley or releasably. As described further below in connectionwith FIG. 3, the optional coupling members 148, 150 allow the pluralityof pressure management devices 128 to be combined to form an integralmodule, i.e., a single unit. Other techniques and devices, e.g.,fasteners or clips, may be used to couple the pressure managementdevices 128.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 2, the system 100 for managing reducedpressure at the plurality of tissue sites 102 is presented in diagramform with only the first pressure management device 130 of the pluralityof pressure management devices 128 shown. It should be understood thatany number of additional pressure management devices 128 may be combinedas part of the system 100. Additional aspects of the first pressuremanagement device 130 may be explained in more detail with reference toFIG. 2.

The first pressure management device 130 is fluidly coupled to one ofthe plurality of sensing conduits 126, and the sensing conduit 126 isfluidly coupled to a force transducer 152 (or pressure gauge) within thefirst pressure management device 130. The force transducer 152 is ableto develop a signal, e.g., an electrical signal, that indicates thepressure within the sensing conduit 126 or is otherwise able to detectvarious thresholds of pressure. The force transducer 152 is coupled at154 to a controller 156. The controller 156 may be a printed wireassembly (PWA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), amicroprocessor with associated memory, or other controller device.

The controller 156 is able to thus monitor the pressure within thesensing conduit 126 and thereby to monitor pressure proximate to thetissue site 102. The controller 156 receives power from a power unit158, such as a battery or other source of electrical power. The powerunit 158 is coupled at 159 to the controller 156. When the controller156 determines that the reduced pressure within the sensing conduit 126is inadequate (e.g., below a reduced-pressure threshold), such as may becaused by a leak in the reduced-pressure dressing associated with theparticular sensing conduit 126 or a blockage or other problem, thecontroller 156 may activate or modify an indicator, such as an audibleindicator 160 (or alarm) or a visual indicator 162. The audibleindicator 160 is shown coupled at 161 to the controller 156. The visualindicator 162 is shown coupled at 163 to the controller 156. A muteswitch or button 164 may be associated with the controller 156 and isshown coupled at 166. The mute switch 164 may allow a user to silencethe audible indicator 160. Other user interfaces may be coupled to thecontroller 156 to control other aspects of the first pressure managementdevice 130.

A portion of the reduced-pressure delivery conduit 122 may extendthrough the first pressure management device 130, and an activationsensor or transducer 168 may be fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressuredelivery conduit 122. The activation sensor 168 can detect the presenceof reduced pressure and provide a signal 170 to the controller 156. Thecontroller 156 may compare the pressure delivered through thereduced-pressure delivery conduit 122 with the sensing pressure in thesensing conduit 126 to make certain determinations concerningperformance and may also use the signal from the activation sensor 168to continue to run controller 156 and other aspects of the firstpressure management device 130.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, in operation, according to oneillustrative embodiment, a user may apply the plurality ofreduced-pressure dressings 106 to the plurality of tissue sites 102. Forexample, the manifold 112 of the first reduced-pressure dressing 108 maybe placed against the tissue site 102 and then be covered by the sealingmember 114 to create the sealed space 118. A reduced pressure interface120, if not already installed, may be installed to provide reducedpressure to the sealed space 118 or otherwise to the manifold 112. Otherreduced-pressure dressings may be applied to each tissue site 102 forwhich treatment is desired.

The plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits 122 may be fluidlycoupled to the reduced-pressure source 124 in a one-to-one fashion. Inthis regard, the reduced-pressure source 124 may have a first conduit172 (FIG. 1) that goes to a branching member or splitter 174 thatfluidly couples the plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits 122to the reduced-pressure source 124. The plurality of sensing conduits126 are fluidly coupled to the plurality of pressure management devices128.

The reduced-pressure source 124 is activated and begins to deliverreduced pressure to the plurality of reduced-pressure dressings 106. Theplurality of pressure management devices 128 may be activated eitherautomatically by the activation sensors 168 or manually by the userusing an interface such as power switch 142. Thus, reduced pressure isdelivered to the tissue sites 102 and is monitored for each tissue site102. If there is a problem with the reduced pressure delivery at atissue site 102 as sensed by one of the plurality of sensing conduits126, the pressure management device 128 associated with that particularsensing conduit of the plurality of sensing conduits 126 will sense theinadequate pressure via the associated force transducer 152. Thecontroller 156, which monitors the force transducer 152, will thenprovide an indication using the audible indicator 160 or the visualindicator 162. The user may then identify which reduced-pressuredressing of the plurality of reduced-pressure dressings 106 is havingthe difficulty. Corrective action may then be readily taken.

As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of pressure management devices 128 maybe coupled using the first coupling members 148 and the second couplingmembers 150 to form an integral module 176. The integral module 176provides for more convenient movement by the user and may also be moreaesthetic.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 4, an illustrative embodiment of anintegral module 176 or pressure management module 176 is presented thatis analogous in most respects to the integrated module 176 shown in FIG.3. Accordingly, some parts are labeled but not further described here.There are, however, two main differences. First, the integrated module176 of FIG. 4 may be manufactured with three otherwise independentpressure management devices is a single housing 178. Second, andrelated, the integrated pressure management module 176 functions as ajunction or branching member or splitter to receive reduced pressurefrom a first conduit 172 from a reduced-pressure source and to providereduced pressure to each of the plurality of pressure management devices128 for delivery through a plurality of reduced-pressure deliveryconduits 122. While not explicitly shown, associated with or formed aspart of the reduced-pressure delivery conduits 122 is a plurality ofpressure sensing lumens or conduits. The plurality of sensing lumensallows the plurality of pressure management devices to monitor pressureat a plurality of tissue sites. At least one reduced-pressure deliveryconduit 122 may be a sensing lumen that provides pressure for sensingpurposes to the reduced-pressure source, e.g., reduced-pressure source124 in FIG. 1.

Referring again primarily to FIG. 2, another illustrative embodiment ofsystem 100 will be presented. With respect to this embodiment of system100, the reduced pressure delivered by reduced-pressure source 124 maybe at a reduced pressure greater (more negative on an absolute pressurescale) than required anywhere in the system 100 and then stepped down tothe desired pressure at various locations. Thus, as an aspect of each ofthe plurality of pressure management devices 128, a pressure regulatingvalve 182 may be provided to adjust the reduced pressure delivered fromthe reduced-pressure source 124 to the specific pressure desired for aparticular tissue site 102 associated with that particular pressuremanagement device.

The pressure regulating valve 182 may have an adjustment control 184 forsetting the desired pressure. Thus, as one example, a singlereduced-pressure source 124 may be used that provides relatively higherreduced pressure (for example, but not by way of limitation, −200 mm Hg)and then adjusted by the pressure regulating valve 182 to a firstdesired pressure (e.g., but not by way of limitation, to −150 mm Hg) anddelivered to a tissue site from which a graft has been taken. The system100 also provides reduced pressure to a reduced-pressure dressing at thetissue site where the graft has been placed and may do so at a seconddesired pressure that is relatively less than the first desired pressure(e.g., but not by way of limitation, −50 mm Hg). In another illustrativeembodiment, the controller 156 may control the adjustment control 184.The desired pressure may be set by a user using a user interface to thecontroller 156.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 5, an illustrative, non-limiting system200 for managing reduced pressure at a plurality of tissue sites, e.g.,tissue site 202, undergoing reduced pressure treatment on a patient 204is presented. The system 200 is analogous in many respects to the system100 of FIG. 1. While only one reduced-pressure dressing 208 and onepressure management device 228 is shown, it should be understand thatthe system 200 contemplates a plurality of each. The plurality ofreduced-pressure dressings, such as reduced-pressure dressing 208, isplaced on the tissue sites, e.g., tissue site 202. With eachreduced-pressure dressing, a reduced-pressure interface 220 may be usedto provide reduced pressure to a sealed space 218 that contains amanifold 212 and also allows for sensing of the pressure in the sealedspace 218.

A reduced-pressure source 224 delivers reduced pressure to a firstplurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits 223. A first conduit 272may be used to deliver the reduced pressure to one or more splitters 274or distributors that are fluidly coupled to the first plurality ofreduced-pressure delivery conduits 223. Each of the firstreduced-pressure delivery conduits 223 has a first end 225 and a secondend 227. Coupled to the second end 227 of each of the firstreduced-pressure delivery conduits 223 is a first pressure managementconnector 286. A second pressure management connector 288 is releasablycoupled to the first pressure management connector 286 to form apressure management device 228. A second plurality of reduced-pressuredelivery conduits 290 may be used to fluidly couple the reduced-pressureinterface 220 to the associated second pressure management connector 288for each reduced-pressure dressing. Each of the second plurality ofreduced-pressure delivery conduits 290 has a first end 292 and a secondend 294. The second pressure management connector 288 is coupled to thefirst end 292 of the associated conduit of the second plurality ofreduced-pressure conduits 290.

Each pressure management device 228 created by coupling the firstpressure management connector 286 and the second pressure managementconnector 288 provides both a fluid coupling and may also functionanalogously to the pressure management devices 128 of FIGS. 1-3 withrespect to monitoring and control. The pressure management devices 228provide a quick connection and also readily allow for one portion, e.g.,the first pressure management connector 286, to be reused and foranother portion, e.g., the second pressure management connector 288, tobe discarded after use. Physically coupling the connectors 286, 288 mayalso provide an electrical connection between the connectors 286, 288.Referring back to FIG. 2 again, various components of the first pressuremanagement device 130 may be associated with either of the connectors286, 288 of the pressure management device 228.

In one illustrative embodiment, the audible indicator 160 and visualindicator 162 may be associated with the first pressure managementconnector 286. The controller 156, power unit 158, mute switch 164, andforce transducer 152 may be associated with the second pressuremanagement connector 288. Various combinations and permutations of thecomponents may be associated with the two connectors 286, 288. Thepressure regulating valve 182 may also be associated with the secondpressure management connector 288.

As used herein, the term “coupled” includes coupling via a separateobject and includes direct coupling. The term “coupled” also encompassestwo or more components that are continuous with one another by virtue ofeach of the components being formed from the same piece of material.Also, the term “coupled” may include chemical, such as via a chemicalbond, mechanical, thermal, or electrical coupling. Fluid coupling meansthat fluid may be in communication between the designated parts orlocations.

In another illustrative embodiment, the pressure management device mayhave no electronics and may use a physical device to monitor pressureand to indicate inadequate pressure. For example, a pop-up pressurevalve may be associated with each sensing lumen that is compressed underadequate reduced pressure, but expands and is visible when inadequatereduced pressure exists.

The pressure management devices 128 may be used with anyreduced-pressure source, which may be any device for supplying a reducedpressure, such as a vacuum pump, wall suction, or other source. With theinclusion of a pressure regulating valve 182, the pressure managementdevices 128 allow for a single reduced-pressure source to supply andmonitor reduced pressure at different pressures at different tissuesites.

The reduced-pressure source may be a monitored system that monitors onetissue site from which one conduit is fluidly coupled, and the pressuremanagement devices may be added to the additional conduits associatedwith additional tissue sites.

Referring again generally to FIGS. 1 and 4, in another illustrativeembodiment, a system 100 for managing reduced pressure at a plurality oftissue sites 102 that are undergoing reduced pressure treatment on apatient 104 is presented. In this illustrative embodiment, an integralmodule 176 has a plurality of pressure management devices 128 similar tothose presented in FIG. 4, but with only one controller (not explicitlyshown) for the integral module 176. The force transducers associatedwith each pressure management device 128 are coupled to the onecontroller for the integral module 176.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been disclosed inthe context of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions, permutations, andalterations can be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims. It will be appreciated thatany feature that is described in connection to any one embodiment mayalso be applicable to any other embodiment.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described abovemay relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. Itwill further be understood that reference to “an” item refers to one ormore of those items.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in anysuitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate.

Where appropriate, aspects of any of the embodiments described above maybe combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described toform further examples having comparable or different properties andaddressing the same or different problems.

It will be understood that the above description of preferredembodiments is given by way of example only and that variousmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The abovespecification, examples and data provide a complete description of thestructure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Althoughvarious embodiments of the invention have been described above with acertain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or moreindividual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerousalterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from thescope of the claims.

We claim:
 1. A system for managing reduced pressure at a plurality oftissue sites undergoing reduced pressure treatment on a patient, thesystem comprising: a first conduit for connection to a reduced pressuresource; a plurality of pressure management devices; a plurality ofsensing conduits, each sensing conduit configured to be fluidly coupledto a respective pressure management device and configured to be fluidlycoupled to a tissue site; a plurality of reduced-pressure deliveryconduits for delivering reduced pressure to the plurality of tissuesites, wherein the first conduit fluidly couples the plurality ofreduced-pressure delivery conduits to the reduced pressure source;wherein each pressure management device of the plurality of pressuremanagement devices comprises: a pressure sensor for sensing pressurewithin the sensing conduit associated with that pressure managementdevice, a controller configured to monitor pressure within the sensingconduit associated with that pressure management device, and anindicator coupled to the controller for indicating when the sensedpressure is less than a threshold pressure.
 2. The system according toclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of reduced-pressure deliveryconduits comprise a first reduced pressure delivery conduit and a secondreduced pressure delivery conduit; and wherein each pressure managementdevice comprises a first connector coupled to one of the first reducedpressure delivery conduits for delivery of reduced pressure to a tissuesite, and a second connector coupled to one of the second reducedpressure delivery conduits for receiving reduced pressure from thereduced pressure source, wherein the first and second connectors areconnected to form the pressure management device.
 3. The system of claim2, wherein for each pressure management device, the indicator is coupledto the first connector.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein for eachpressure management device, the indicator is coupled to the firstconnector and the pressure sensor is coupled to the second connector. 5.The system according to claim 1, wherein each pressure management devicecomprises a power unit electrically coupled to the controller forproviding power to the controller, wherein the pressure sensor comprisesa force transducer associated with the sensing conduit and electricallycoupled to the controller.
 6. The system according to claim 1, whereinthe first conduit is fluidly connected to the plurality ofreduced-pressure delivery conduits by the plurality of pressuremanagement devices.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein each pressuremanagement device further comprises an activation sensor fluidly coupledto the reduced-pressure delivery conduit associated with the pressuremanagement device.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator isselected from a group of an audible indicator and a visual indicator. 9.The system of claim 1, wherein each pressure management device furthercomprises a muting switch.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein theplurality of pressure management devices are coupled to form an integralmodule.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofreduced-pressure dressings for maintaining a reduced-pressure at theplurality of tissue sites, each dressing being for coupling to one ofthe plurality of reduced-pressure delivery conduits.
 12. The system ofclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pressure management devicescomprises: a housing, a first coupling member coupled to a first portionof the housing, a second coupling member coupled to a second portion ofthe housing, and wherein the first coupling member is sized andconfigured to couple with the second coupling member on another of theplurality of pressure management devices, whereby adjacent pressuremanagement devices may be coupled.